Automatic web guiding apparatus



July 24, 1951 x. 1.. FIFE 2,562,026

' AUTOMATIC WEB GUIDING APPARATUS I Filed June 7,} 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet lFly 1 y 2 INVENTOR.

lRW/N L FIFE BY Q- WM July 24, 1951 FIFE AUTOMATIC WEB GUIDING APPARATUS2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 7, 1946 INVENTOR.

IRWIN L. FIFE.

Q \m- WW Patented July 24, 1951' v OFFICE AUTOMATIC WEB GUIDINGAPPARATUS Irwin L. Fife, Oklahoma City, Okla.

Application June 7, 1946, Serial No. 675,214

6 Claims. 1

This invention relates to means for accurately controlling the unwindingand rewinding of a moving web of dense material, and more particularly,but not by way of limitation, to provide an accurate edge alignment of amoving web of paper, cellophane, cloth, tape, and the like from one rollto another.

Many previous web guiding devices for paper machinery or the like, suchas the numerous patents to Dlckout, the British patent to Moufang, No.273,016, or Stanford, No. 2,239,472, disclose subatmospheric pneumaticcontrol means adapted to regulate the moving web through cooperationwith an orifice, feeler, or the like.

However, these prior devices are all of a complex structure, utilizingintricate and costly mechanism in conjunction with the control unit.

The present invention contemplates the accurate edge alignment of amoving web of paper or thelike which is efiicient in its operation,simple in design, with a minimum of working parts.

It is an important object of this invention to control the side registerof a moving web of material in either an unwinding orrewinding operationin order to accurately align the material with respect to a receivingroll.

A further object of this invention is to compensate for any lateraldeviation during the travel of a moving web by controlling its path oftravel by accurate alignment of the edges, which includes a shaftmovable by a vacuum mechanism to be caused to rotate in either one ofopposite directions in order to shift the moving web and bring aboutaccurate travel thereof.

- And still another object of this invention is to provide a web guidingmechanism adapted to compensate for any lateral deviation of a movingweb through a series of aligned apertures in an orifice control unitcooperating with the web, wherein the apertures provide an efiicient andpositive actuation of the guiding mechanism, and allows maintenance of aneutral position when the web is traveling in a true path.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be evident from thefollowing detailed description, read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, which illustrate my invention.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a schematic view in plan showing the control orificeadjacent the moving web.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the web guiding mechanism.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the mechanism. I

' Figure 4 is an end elevational view of the mechanism.

. a 2 Figure 5 is a detail of the orifice. Referring to the drawings indetail, reference character 2 designates a housing having a unitary baseI. Disposed within the housing 2 is a constant speed electric motorIcombinedwith a constant speed vacuum pump 0, both securedto a bracketsupport 1. A constantly rotating motor shaft ill extends outwardly fromthe house ing and is provided with a sheave or pulley l2 as will behereinafter-explained. One side wall of the housing 2 is provided withan apertured flange l4 adapted to receive a diaphragm II interposedbetween the flange II and a clamping ring it secured to the fiangebybolts IS. The diaphragm I6 is provided with aproiecting'hub 2. having agroove 2| adapted to receive a rod 22 and held therein by a pin 22. Therod 22 is secured at one end to a yoke 24 provided on' the lowermostportion of the clamping ring II. The opposite end of the rod 22 isprovided with a yoke 25 for receiving a reversing shaft as will behereinafter set forth. v

Referring to Figure 2, the top wall of the housing 2 is provided with apluralityof parallel aligned bearings 28 and 30 secured by bolts 22 tothe housing 2. A freely rotatable shaft 24 is mounted in the'bearings 28and It, and is provided at one end with a friction drive cone 36 securedthereto by the locking means ll. A sheave or pulley 42 is mounted on theopposite end of the shaft 34 and is directlyconnectedwith the motorsheave l2 by a belt 44 as clearly shown in Figure 3. A second pair ofaligned bearings 26 and 48 are secured by bolts 50 to the housing 2. Itwill be apparent from Figure 2 that the bearings 46 and are arrangedperpendicularly to the alignment of bearings 28 and 30. A freelyrotatable shaft 52 is mounted in the bearings 48 and 50. One end of theshaft is disposed in the yoke 26 of the lever 22. A helical compressionspring 54 encircles the shaft 52 and is disposed between a washer 55adjacent one face of bearing 48 and a plurality of adjustable spacernuts 56 mounted on the shaft 52.

A pair of substantially cone shaped friction discs 58 and GI are fixedto the shaft 52, and from Figures 2 and 4 it will be apparent that thesediscs are disposed with their tapered portions 62 and 64 facing eachother. The discs are spaced from the bearings 46 and 48- by washersuse-1 cured to shaft 52. The end of the shaft 52 opposite the yoke 26 isprovided with a fixed sprocket 10 adapted to be connected with asprocket 12 through means of a chain 14. The sprocket I2 is mounted on ashaft 16 supported by bearings 19 carrying a supply roll of a web ofpaper 11,

plastic, cellophane, or the like, as is clearly shown in Figure 1. withan extension shaft 1611 having threads 16b cooperating with internalthreads on the shaft 16 and maintained in the screw support 92 to causethe opposite rotation of the shaft 16 relative to the rotation of thesprocket 10.

From Figures 2 and 3, the housing 2 is provided with a flange 18 havingan aperture 80 in communication with one side of the diaphragm I8 (notshown). The flange I8 is provided with a threaded connection (not shown)for receiving a conduit 82 providing communication with a body member 84containing an orifice shown in detail in Figure 5.

Referring to Figure 1, the orifice is adapted to be rigidly positionedto the frame of a paper machine or the like (not shown) and disposedadjacent the edge of the moving web 11 as clearly shown in Figure 1. Alubricating device 88 is connected with the vacuum pump 8 and provideslubrication therefor. In similar manner, a liquid separator 88 issecured to the housing 2 for filtering, the liquid utilized with thepump.

Referring to Figure 5, it will be apparent that the body member 84containing an orifice is provided with a series of small, alignedapertures 98 in juxtaposition to each other. The circiunference of theapertures are ground and buffed in order to provide a rounded portionalong the circumference thereby preventing any shaving action on thesurface of the moving web, especially in coated materials, such as waxedpaper. Referring to Figure 1, the orifice 84 extends from communicationwith aperture 80 into a position adjacent the edge of the moving web ll.It will be apparent that the orifice is adjustably secured to the papermachine or the like (not shown) and is preferably disposed so as toallowthe paper web to be superimposed or pass over the orifice 84,particularly when the distance between the rolls of the web issuflicient whereby gravity will keep the web adjacent the orifice.

However, it will be apparent that the orifice may be secured to themachine (not shown) so as to be disposed on top of the moving web.Furthermore, the orifice is arranged so that the edge of the web willeither cover or uncover all of the series of apertures 90 simultaneouslyas shown in Figure 1.

The sprocket I2 is shown fixed to the shaft 1 6 of the supply roll 8|for the moving web. On the shaft 16 is mounted a screw support 92 whichwill cause movement of the shaft 16 in reverse directions as will behereinafter set forth. It will be apparent that a modified worm (notshown) could be used in lieu of the screw support 92. Any variations inthe transverse alignment of the moving web is compensated for by thecontrol mechanism directly cooperating with the shaft 18.

Operation With the moving web moving over the aper-' tures 90 andthereby covering the orifice, the vacuum on the pump 8 communicatingwith one side of the diaphragm I6 builds up sufficiently to pull or movethe diaphragm l6 inwardly in a direction toward the housing 2 with asimultaneous movement of the diaphragm lever 22, which in turn causes amovement of the shaft 52 to move cone disc 60 into contact with thefriction drive cone 36. It will be apparent that the constantly rotatingshaft 34 and friction bone 35 causes rotation of the disc 60 andconsequently The shaft 16 is preferably provided 4 rotation of the shaft52 to rotate the sprocket 18 in one direction. The rotation of thesprocket l0 similarly rotates sprocket l2 and worm 92 to cause movementof shaft 18 in one direction to i adjust the web roll BI and accuratelyalign the moving web. If the transverse movement of the web completelyuncovers the orifice apertures 80, vacuum is released on the diaphragml6, thereby relaxing the diaphragm so that the compression spring 54will move against the spacer nuts 88, thereby moving the shaft 52 in adirection toward the diaphragm and bringing the friction disc 58 intocontact with the constantly rotating drive cone 36. In this manner theshaft 52 will be rotated in a reverse direction from that when the coneis in contact with the disc 60. Rotation of the shaft in this reversedirection similarly causes rotation of sprocket l0 and 12 to move thedrive shaft 16 and web roll 8| in an opposite direction to accuratelyalign the edge of the moving web accordingly. When the moving web isflowing normally, or in a true manner, from the supply roll, the edgesof the web will fiow slightly across the apertures causing a slightamount of vacuum on the diaphragm in order to balance it with thecompression spring 54. In this manner a neutral position is createdwherein neither disc 58 or 60 on the reversing shaft 52 is in contactwith the drive cone 38. Under practical tests it has been found that theposition of the web over the apertures 90 is very slight, approximatingabout .0005 of an inch.

The particular construction of the orifice with its series of alignedapertures 90 has been found to be the most eflicient means in which afine neutral position can be obtained. A single elon-- gated slot or oneaperture orifice has been found unable to accomplish the neutralposition obtained by the series of aligned and adjacent small aperturesas provided in the orifice 84. It will be apparent that the total areaof the apertures 88 must be sufficiently large so that when the ori-'fice is uncovered by the moving web the supply of air to the diaphragmi8 is greater than the vacuum from the pump whereby a complete releaseof vacuum is prevalent on the diaphragm I6, allowing the spring 54 tofunction.

Due to the variations in the supply roll for various platens, the webnormally reels off of the supply web constantly out of alignment.Consequently, the edge of the web is usually moving transversely overthe apertures 88 and back to create a substantially constant actuationof the web aligning mechanism to provide an accurate edge alignment ofthe moving web.

In an application of the web guide mechanism where accurately rewoundrolls are desired, for example on the rewind end of a press, the rewindshaft is moved or shifted in the direction which the moving web isweaving ofi. The orifice 84 is flexibly mounted relative to the web andcooperates with the worm through the web guiding mechanism so that therewind roll will be moved in the same manner and in the same directionand at the same speed ratio. It will be apparent that the rewind edgecontrol operation is accomplished in an opposite manner from an unwindcontrol operation as shown in the present embodiment. The moving web ischased on a rewind operation in lieu of its direction being changed asis desired in an un-- wind operation.

The embodiment shown in Figure 1 has been described for an unwindoperation from supply roll 81 with the screw supp rt 92 moving the.

' supply (not shown).

WUOMOBB shaft." in animation oppositefrom the. direction the-web isweaving oifto control the alignment thereof; .However, it will beapparent that Figure 1 can. be utilized to disclose a rewind operationby assuming that roll 8| is a rewind roll receiving the moving web fromasource of In this rewind operation the orifice 8|- fiexibly cooperateswith the edge of the moving web TI to cause the control mechanism tofunction, wherein the screw support .82 will move rewind shaft-Ii in thedirection ,that the web is weaving off to provide an accurate rewind ofthe web.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the present inventionprovides an automatic web guiding apparatus which is simple in design,

compact, and provides a precise and efilcient operation with a minimumnumber of parts for accurately aligning the edges of a traveling web ineither an unwind or rewind operation. Furthermore, the construction ofthe orifice and its series of aligned apertures, and'particularly thearea of each aperture with respect to thestotal area of all aperturesprovides a pilot device which on a slight-covering by the, traveling webwill neutralize the action of the vacuum chamber relative'ito the actionof'" the helical spring'to provide a balanced operation as long as theweb continues to travelin a substantially normal path. Furthermore, thetwin friction disc arrangement cooperating with the drive c'one causesefilcient and instantaneous rotation of the drive shaft immediately uponany variation in the edge alignment'of the web during its'travel inorder to move the drive shaft of the web roll and correct the sideregister of the web in either an unwinding or rewinding operation.

Changes may be made in the specificationaand drawlngs without departingfrom the spirit of the'invention within the scope of the following aroll of'sa'id'web material, and comprising a housing enclosing a motoroperated vacuum pump, a sealed diaphragm mounted on the housing andproviding a vacuum chamber connected with the pump, a freely rotatableshaft mounted on the housing and associated with the diaphragm, anorifice disposed adjacent the edge of the moving web and incommunication with the vacuum chamber, said orifice adapted to becovered and uncovered by the moving web to cause a variation in vacuumagainst the diaphragm, a pair of friction discs fixed on the shaft,-aconstantly rotating drive cone disposed between the disc and in spacedrelation thereto, a helical spring mounted on the shaft, said diaphragmresponsive to one position of the web relative the orifice to causemovement of one of the discs into contact with the drive cone to providerotation of the shaftin one direction, said spring responsive-to theother position of the web relative to the orifice to cause movement ofthe other of said discs into contact with the cone to cause rotation ofthe shaft in an opposite direction, and means between the web roll andthe shaft responsive to the controlled rotation of the shaft to provideaccurate alignment of the traveling web.

2. In an apparatus for controlling the edge alignment of a traveling webassociated with a roll of said web material, and comprising a housingenclosing a motor operated vacuum 6 pump; a sealed'diaphragm mountedon'the' housiing and providing a vacuum" chamber connected with thepump, a freely rotatable shaft mounted on the'housing and associatedwith the diaphragm. an orifice disposed adjacent theedge of the movingweb and in communication with the vacuum chamber, said orifice adaptedto be covered and uncovered by the moving web to cause a variation invacuum against the (118-!- phragm, a pair of friction discs fixed on theshaft, a constantly rotating drive cone disposed between the disc and inspaced relation thereto, a helical spring mounted on .thesh'aft, saidorifice responsive to a transverse movement of the-,web in one directionto cause the vacuum in the cham ber toincrease and move the shaft in onedirection whereby a friction disc is brought into 'con' tact with thedrive cone to rotate the shaft in one direction. and means operablyconnected with the shaft and web roll to move the roll for accuratealignment of the edge of the web. 3. In an apparatus for controlling the,edge alignment of a traveling web associated with 'a roll of said webmaterial "and comprising a housing enclosing a motor operated vacuumpump, 'a -sealed diaphragm mounted on the housing and providing a vacuumchamber connected with the pump, a' freely rotatable shaft mountedon'the housing and associated with the diaphragmpari orifice disposedadjacent the edge of the moving web and in communication with the vacuumchamber, said orifice adapted to becoveredand uncovered by the movingweb to cause a variation in vacuum against the diaphragm, a pair offriction discs fixed on the shaft, a constantly rotating drive conedisposed between the disc and in spaced relation thereto, a helicalspring mounted on the shaft, said orifice responsive to a transversemovement of the web in one direction to cause the vacuum in the chamberto decrease and allow the spring to move the shaft in one direction tobeing a friction disc into contact with the drive cone and causerotation of the shaft in providing a vacuum chamber connected with thepump, a freely rotatable shaft mounted on the housing and associatedwith the diaphragm, an orifice disposed adjacent the edge of the movingweb and in communication with the vacuum chamber, said orifice adaptedto be covered and uncovered by the moving web to cause a variation invacuum against the diaphragm, a pair of friction discs fixed on theshaft, a constantly rotating drive cone disposed between the disc and inspaced relation thereto, a helical spring mounted on the shaft, saidshaft adapted to be movable in either of opposite directions by avariation inthe mounted on the housing and providing a vacuum chamberconnected with the pump, a freely rotate able shaft mounted on thehousing and associated with the diaphragm, an orifice disposed adjacentthe edge of the moving web and in communication with the vacuum chamber,said orifice adapted to be covered and uncovered by the moving web tocause a variation in vacuum against the diaphragm, a plurality offriction discs fixed on the shaft, drive means disposed between thefriction discs and in spaced relation thereto, helical means mounted onthe shaft, said diaphragm responsive to one position of the web relativeto the orifice to cause movement of at least one of the friction discsinto contact with the drive means to provide rotation of the shaft inone direction, said helical means responsive to another position of theweb relative to the orifice to cause movement of another of saidfriction discs into contact with the drive means to cause rotation ofthe shaft in an opposite direction from the first mentioned direction,and means between the web roll and the shaft responsive to thecontrolled rotation of the shaft to provide accurate alignment of thetraveling web.

6. In an apparatus. for controlling the edge alignment of a travelingweb associated with a roll of said web material and comprising a housinghaving a vacuum pump, a diaphragm mounted on the housing, and providinga vacuum chamber connected with the pump, a rotatable shaft mounted onthe housing and associated with the diaphragm, an orifice comprising aplurality of aligned apertures disposed adjacent the edge of the movingweb and in communication with the vacuum chamber, said orifice adaptedto be covered and uncovered by the moving, web to cause a variation invacuum against the diaphragm, a helical spring mounted on the shaft, andmeans responsive to a variation of the vacuum to be moved by thediaphragm in one direction and by the helical spring in an oppositedirection to cause rotation of the shaft in either one of oppositedirections to provide an accurate alignment of the web, said aperturesso constructed and arranged whereby a'slight' coverlng thereof by theweb will provide a neutral balancing of the vacuum as long as the web istraveling in a substantially accurate path, and means between the webroll and the shaft to move the roll for accurate alignment of the edgeof the web.

IRWIN L. FIFE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Stanford Apr. 22, 1941

